Sharjah International Award for Cultural Heritage 2026

Apply for the Sharjah International Award for Cultural Heritage 2026. This global award, organized by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, honors individuals and institutions that contribute to the protection and preservation of cultural heritage. The award aims to support best practices, recognize storytellers and researchers, and strengthen Sharjah’s position as an international center for safeguarding cultural heritage.

Award Categories:

• Best Storytellers and Heritage Bearers
• Best Practices in Safeguarding Elements of Cultural Heritage
• Best Research and Studies in Cultural Heritage

Eligibility Criteria by Category:

1. Best Storytellers and Heritage Bearers

• The initiative or project must not have been previously used for or identical to any prior award.

• The outcome must be tangible and have been implemented in practice for at least approximately two years.

• Supporting evidence and documentation must be submitted, not exceeding a specified number of pages and complying with the technical requirements.

2. Best Practices in Safeguarding Elements of Cultural Heritage

• The applicant must be an expert or heritage practitioner (possessing oral knowledge or traditional skills).

• Two recommendation letters from relevant heritage authorities must be submitted.

• A video not exceeding 10 minutes must be provided, demonstrating the applicant’s expertise, skills, and transmitted heritage.

3. Best Research and Studies in Cultural Heritage

• The research must present a significant scientific contribution to the study of heritage.

• Applications are open annually, provided that the researcher has not won in the past two years.

• Commitment to scientific methodology, publication standards, and intellectual property rights of the research is required.